The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-09
1ut ne went on ralkrngor something


else, and talked on till the striking of
the clock made him Jump up.
He had fallen into the habit of stay
ing after his lesson was over TO talk;
so that after twenty lessons it was not
strange that they felt tolerably well
acquainted. And Lefty had confided
to herself more than once that Mr..
Gibson was "uncommonly" entertain
ing aud nice.
The rehearsal passed offwith all pos
sible smoothness; but Mr.. Gibson was
not there. Lefty had received note
from him at the last minute, stating
his unavoidable detention.
A bunch of flowers had accompanied
it, and white rose shone in Letty's
soft hair at the rehearsal.
Little Genevieve came and PLAYED
successfully. Mrs. Gibson came with
her. and she smiled blandly on Lefty,
and complimented her on Genevieye's
progress. She did not mention her
son, and Lefty went home vaguely
wondering.
She gave Genevieve a lesson next
day. She didn't understand why it
was, but the imposing hall, with its
stately furnishings, and the charming
ly appointed music room, somehow
depressed her. !.
She had another rose from Mr.. Glib
sons bouquet in a button hole of her
jacket, and she looked down at it
rather drearily. She had come to
know him so well. and all this gran
deur seemed to thrust her so hope
lessly far away from him. Not that
she had that thought distinctly in
mind. She was sensible girl, and by
no means foolishly impressionable and
romantic. But she was dimly un-
happy.
1t was due to this mood, doubtless,
that she forgot her muff. and was GO
ing on her way home without. She saw
young Mr.. Gibson run up the steps as
she turned back, and she walked Slow
ly in order to avoid him.
His hat was on a peg when she was
admitted to the hall. Lefty looked at
it wistfully. 1t looked woefully differ
ent, hanging on mahogany hat rack,
with long mirror, and living infor-
mally on her piano top at home.
The notes of the Gibson piano we're
sounding, and Lefty listened wonder
ingly. She recognized the Moonlight
Sonata, brilliantly and charmingly ex-
ecuted.
Who was it? Mrs. Gibson possibly:
but Lefty had had the impression that
Mrs. Gibson didn't play.
She listened with quickly apprecia-
tive admiration and with some longing.
because she felt certain that that was
better than she could have DONE
She went on into the music room in
eager curiosity.
Har ,11ntf laU on tho nbai,. ,x-bo,o eb
had left it; but Lefty did not take it.
She stood quite still in the doorway,
gazing speechless at the person on the
piano stool.
1t was Raymond Gibson. He was
was thrown back, and his ewes were
on the ceiling.
He was using the pedals vigorously
His music teacher had stood in the
doorway some three minutes before he
became aware of her presence. Then
there was a crashing of the keys.
Miss Whitaker! gasped her pupil.
Lefty only gazed at him. She was
quite stunned.
Mr.. Gibson sprang to his feet
Don't look like thatr' he entreated,
rushing towards her. Don't Miss
Whitaker
But Lefty shrank back, her eyes
| fixed upon him in solemnity and stern
ness.
"What-what does this mean. Mr..
Gibson" she said, with an austerity
which was marred by her faltering g
| voice.
Mr.. Gibson pulled her gently inside,
and shut the door.
Il know you'll forgive mel" he i'm
plored.
Lefty looked at him with reddening
cheeks, and then burst into tears.
What did you 60 it forp" she
sobbed.
What for?" her pupil repeated,
standing very close to her and getting
possession of one of her hands. Don't
| you know, Miss Whittaker-Letty?
I've wanted to know you so-for years
ever since ! first saw you. And I'd
| begun to think never should be able
| to manage it. l used to lie awake
nights worrying over it, And walking
| home with you that day hadn't in
tended it, truly, but we were talking
about your pupils, You know, and the
| idea occurred to me, and-and l
couldn't help it. Don't be angry. |
did accomplish it, you see. We do
know each other. What's the odds,
dearP"
you've made me perfectly ridicu-
lousi" Lefty sobbed.
If she had heard his last adjective,
| she ignored it.
mo, no-Tve been careful not to!
| Nobody knows it-not a soul. That's
why didn't go to the rehearsal-the
Taylors know can play, you see."
He did his best to stifle laugh; but
his teacher was laughing, too, through
| her tears. The vision of her tall pupil
laboring through Little Katy's First
| Waltz" overcame her.
You ought to be ashamed of your
self!' she cried, laughing and crying
together.
Il am am!' said Raymond. "Pm
| ashamed; but I am not sorry. Why,
| might not have known you yet if i
hadn't"
Then he paused, palpitatingly.
| What duets wen have when we're
married, dear?" he said softly.
What will your mother say?" said
Lefty, gasping with bewildered Joy.
| .'SayP She'll say I've got the sweet
est girl in the world. She hasn't any
ridiculous notions; and, besides, she'll
never think of denying me anything ]
want.
| And neither did she.
1